Strip perforating apparatus



Nov. 16, 1948. c. CHISHOLM STRIP PERFORATING APPARATUS 1o Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 14, 1946 Nov. 16, 1948. cfcHlsl-louvl 2,453,782

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Filed June 14, 1946 Nov, 16, 1948. c. CHISHOLM 2, V STRIP PERFORATINGAPPARATUS I Filed June 14, 1946 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 16, 1948. c.CHISHOLM STRIP PERFORATING APPARATUS l0 Sheets- Sheet 9.

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Nov. 16, 1948. c. CHISHOLM STRIP PERFORATING APPARATUS 1O 'Sheets-Sheet10 Filed June 14, 1946 Z Jere 20 2''. C/zffozz (3137502711 Patented Nov.16,1948

STRIP PERFORATING APPARATUS Clifton Chisholm, Forest Hills, N. Y.,assignor to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Delaware Application June 14, 1946, Serial No. 676,779

11 Claims.

1 This invention relates to a strip perforating apparatus and moreparticularly to an apparatus controlled by the operation of a typewriterkeyboard for forming in a tape, strip of paper, or the like,perforations arranged according to a predetermined code. The stripbearing such perforations is to be used subsequently in controllingother apparatus to reproduce mechanical and automatic operations whichare normally performed manually.

In business OffiCGS where peak work loads appear periodically it isdesirable to be able to anticipate at least part of such peaks and totake advantage of automatic machinery which can operate constantly dayand night to avoid the necessity of employing large'numbers of workersfor limited periods. By the use of automatic machinery of the type towhich my invention pertains it is possible to take care of peak loadsWithout extraordinary temporary increases in the number of employees orin the quantity of machinery required.

A specific example of .a business one aspect of which is highly periodicin volume is the business of publishing and distributing magazines andother periodicals which are sold largely on an annual subscriptionbasis. Subscription lists for the more popular periodicals commonly runinto the hundreds of thousands and some run into millions. In some casesa very large proportion of subscriptions tend to be received or toexpire and be renewed at a particular season of the year, especially ator near the end of thecalendar year. The preparation of new mailinglists at such times is a tremendous task involving the preparation ofdevices foruse in mailing and/or addressing machines, the preparation ofrenewal notices, issue of receipts and the like. To handle such a largevolume of business requires either that there be a large emergency forceof employees and a large amount of mechanical equipment employed for arelatively short time or that the volume of work be spread over a longerperiod. Either of these alternatives is highly objectionable.

An important factor contributing to the difficulties mentioned above isthe immense amount of time and labor involved in preparing devices foruse in automatic addressing machines and analogous equipment. For eachlisted subscription a new name, a new address, usually a new expirationdate, and sometimes additional matter are involved. For each customer aprintingdevice such as an address. plate must be pre-' pared and this isnormally done on a manually requiring manual operations.

controlled machine. Commonly printing devices of the character mentionedembody a metal plate of well-known type which is adapted to be embossedon a machine which is operated in a manner similar to that in which atypewriter is operated. An example of a machine of the type mentioned isshown in Duncan Patent No. 1,518,904, patented December 9, 1924.

As indicated above the work of preparing plates of the charactermentioned is enormous when itis realized that one plate must be preparedfor each of the many thousands or millions of customers. The preparationof a single plate involves feeding the plate to a holding device,operating keys to emboss the name, address, etc. on the plate in amanner very similar to thatin which a typewriter is operated, removingthe plate from the machine and placing it in. appropriate stack or file,and repeating the operation for each subsequent name on the subscriptionlist.

Plate embossing machines of the type shown in the Duncan Patent No.1,518,904 mentioned aboveare highly satisfactory for their purpose andno superior device has yet been contrived to taketheir place. Thesemachines, however, due to their inherent nature, are somewhat slow andponderous in operation. The strength of parts required for embossingoperations demands that such parts be made heavy and strong. Hencemachines of this type must necessarily be somewhat deliberate and slowin operation. Although operated by the same keyboard which is used onstandard typewriters the speed of a plate embossing machine is much lessthan that of a typewriter operated by an average typist. Hence theproduction of large quantities of addressing plates constitutes aserious bottleneck when it occurswith seasonal peak loads.

Since the standard plate embossing machine, as exemplified in the Duncanpatent referred to above, utilizes the same keyboard and other manualcontrols such as word spacing, shifting from lower case to upper case,line spacing and carriage return, I have discovered that it is possibleto provide a code bearing tape which may be produced by operating thekeys and other manual controls of .a standard typewriter. By the use ofa tape perforated by my apparatus it is possible to automaticallycontrol a plate embossing machine of the character mentioned above sothat long mailing lists may be embossed on suitable printing devices,for use in automatic addressing equipment and the like Without Becauseof the greater speedwith which a typewriter may be operated, myinvention makes it possible to prepare a code bearing strip by theoperation of a typewriter keyboard which will control the plateembossing machine automatically and eliminate the large volume of manualwork which would otherwise be required to emboss a large number ofprinting devices.

By the use of a perforated tape prepared as described above it ispossible to operate plate embossing machines day and night duringperiods where the work load is at a peak without necessitating thehiring of large numbers of temporary employees or the use of a largenumber of plate embossing machines and related equipment. My new tapeperforating mechanism makes it possible to prepare the necessary controltape rapidly and to save considerable time and expense in the eventualpreparation of the necessary printing devices for subscription lists.

It is therefore an object of my invention to accomplish the punching ofgroups of perforations in a control strip, tape or the like according toa predetermined code by the manipulation of the keyboard and othermanual controls of a standard typewriter.

More specifically it is an object of my invention to accomplish thepunching of perforations in a control strip, tape or the like accordingto a predetermined code by connecting necessary code interpretingelements and punch control devices to the keyboard of a standardtypewriting machine in a manner which will not interfere with the normaluse and operation of such typewriting machine.

It is a further object of my invention to accomplish the forming ofperforations in a control strip, tape or the like according to apredetermined code by mounting a self-powered cyclically operatedperforation mechanism adjacent the standard typewriting machine andconnecting a set of control elements between the keys and other manualcontrols of said typewriting machine and the cyclically operatedperforating mechanism. It is a further object of my invention toaccomplish the foregoing in a manner such that the operations incidentto normal function of a typewriter including line spacing, word spacing,shifting from lower case to upper case and the like will be communicatedin code to the punching mechanism and incorporated as a group ofperforations conforming to said predetermined code in the control stripor tape. My invention contemplates that the tape so perforated will beused later for controlling the operation of a machine which embossesprinting devices such as embossable plates used in addressing machinesand the like, the latter however forming no part of the presentinvention. An apparatus which is controlled by a code bearing strip ortape produced as above for operating or controlling the operations of aplate embossing machine forms the subject matter of a separateapplication filed by me Serial No. 676,778, filed June 14, 1946.

Other and additional objects of my invention are to provide controlmeans for punching or perforating apparatus which can be readily adaptedto a standard typewriter without affecting its normal operation andwithout requiring any important structural modifications to saidtypewriter, to provide means for feeding a strip or tape to and throughthe perforating or punching mechanism, to rewind the punched orperforated tape for subsequent use in a. machine where the strip or tapewill be used for automatic control purposes, and to accomplish all theforegoing by the use of a relatively simple and compact organization ofmechanical elements operated automatically and imposing no appreciableburden on the normal manual operation of the typewriting machine whichcontrols the perforating or punching operations.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferredembodiment and the principle thereof and what I now consider to be thebest mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle. Otherembodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principlemay be used and structural changes may be made as desired by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the present invention and thepurview of the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is an end elevational view of my improved strip perforatingapparatus;

Fig. 2 is a plan vie-w of the same, certain parts being broken away andcertain other parts being shown in section to show more clearly theconstruction of certain operating mechanisms;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, certain parts being broken away andcertain other parts being shown in section;

Figs. 4 and 5, taken together, constitute an enlarged front elevationalView generally similar to Fig. 3, certain additional details beingshown. Fig. 5 adjoins Fig. 4 on the right;

Fig. 6 is an end elevational View of the strip punching mechanism,looking from the right of Elie.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line i-l,Figs. 2, 3 and 5, showing the punching mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the punching mechanism, takensubstantially along the line 8-3, Figs. 3 and 5;

Fig.9 is a detail sectional View showing special operating elementslocated between the typewri'ting machine and the punching mechanism,taken substantially along the line 9-9, Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a detail plan view showing the rear portions of the operating"elements of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail View of certain line spacing control elements takensubstantially along the line il-ll, Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the linel2i2, Fig. 2;

Fig. 13-15 a detail plan view, With parts in section, of certain codebars and associated elements taken substantially along the line l3--i3,Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a detail view of one of the strip feeding rollers;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the same roller, taken substantiallyalong the line i5-i5, Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a view of a section of a perforating strip or tape showing acode which may be employed in my machine.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of my invention a generaloutline of its structure and function will be given. As shown in Figs.1, 2 and 3, a standard typewriter is mounted above a set of movable barswhich are notched or cut out according to a code so that each movablebar selectively operates a distinct element or group of elements whichultimately control the perforating elements of a punching mechanism 1shown at the right of Figs. 2 and 3. The depres-.

sion of a typewriter key, for example, the letter a moves a bar which,as shown in code, Fig. 16, causes four perforating punches of agroup ofseven to form perforations in a particular spaced relationship. As shownin Fig. 16, seven rows of perforations may be formed in the strip ortape. The middle row of the seven is perforated for every operation ofthe machine regardless of its nature. This middle row of perforationssubsequently may be usedas described in my c0- pending applicationmentioned above for controlling feeding operations of the tape itself inautomatic mechanism for controlling a plate embosing machine. Theapparatus is so designed as will be more fully pointed out below thatany operation of any key or other manual control invariably causes theperforation along the middle row.

The control strip or tape has six rows of code perforations in additionto the middle row described above. Operation of the key representing aon the typewriter causes perforations to be made in the first, third andsixth rows. Operation of the 1) key of the typewriter causesperforations to be formed in the first, second, third and fourth rowsand so on. Fig. 16 shows code arrangements for other operations such asword spacing, shifting, carriage return and line spacing. In addition,two operations which are not functions of a standard typewriter must beperformed, namely, picking up a plate which is to be accomplishedautomatically in the plate embossing machine, and the rolling andejecting of a finished plate. The manner in which these operations areaccomplished in the automatic embossing machine is described indetail'in my aforesaid copending application but it is important to notehere that some means must be provided for indicating such operations onthe tape which is to control the automatic embossing machine, otherwisethey would not be accomplished.

Proceeding now to a detailed description of my invention, reference isfirst made to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. A standard commercialtypewriter I0 is supported on two parallel bars or plates H and l2 whichare secured at their front and rear ends to the four supporting feet l3of the typewriter Ill. The normal rubber cushioned feet of thetypewriter are replaced by resilient washers M in a manner that isobvious. The two bars or plates H and I2 are supported by means of studsl5 and adjustable nuts l6 and I! on a base member I8. The studs and theadjustable nuts 56 and H are provided for adjusting or leveling theposition of the typewriter with respect to the supporting base and withrespect to other operating elements to be described in detail below.

The base l8 consists essentially of a substanto be formed tially fiatand horizontal plate member l9 referred to hereafter as the base proper.This plate member I9 is provided at its marginal edges with downturnedflanges 2| and at intermediate points with reenforcin flanges or ribs22. At appropriate points such as the corners of the frame thedownturned flanges may be provided with resilient supporting elementssuch as feet or pads 23 of rubber or the like. As shown in Figs. 2 and3, the base member comprises a basic frame work for the machine andextends a short distance to the rear and a considerable distance to theright of the typewriter. The extended portion of the base to the rightof the typewriter affords a foundation for a punching or perforatingmech-' anism and elements for operating the same which will be describedin detail hereinbelow.

The horizontal plate or base l9 supports two brackets 24 which arepreferably integral with the base. A rectangular block 25 having'a notch26 in its upper end is secured to each of the brackets 24 by means ofstuds 21. The notches 26 are. rounded at their lower ends to serve asbearings for a, transverse shaft 28 located below the typewriter andextending across the rear thereof. The shaft 28 is held firmly seated inthe notches 26 by fastening means such as cap screws 29 or the like.

Pivoted on the shaft 28, and appropriately spaced by spacing means notshown in detail are a series of levers 3|. One such lever is provided tounderlie each key bar 32 of the typewriter. At its forward end each ofthe levers 3| is' provided with an upstanding arm or extension 33 whichbears a pin 34 having an enlarged head 35 spaced from the arm 33 toreceive and seat the lower edge of a key bar 32 on the pin34 between thearm 33 and the head 35. A series of springs 36 have their upper endssecured to a bracket 31 which extends below and substantially across thefull width of the typewriter. The bracket 31 is secured to the bars I Iand I2 previously described by suitable fastening means 38. The lowerend of each of the springs is secured to one of the levers 3| undertension to hold the arms 33 in contact with the associated key bar 32.By means of the construction just described it is obvious that operationof a typewriter key to depress a key bar 32 depresses theassociated arm33 and bar 3| against the tension of spring 36. The springs 36 are lightso that resistance to the operation of the typewriter keys is notsubstantial. The springs 36 of course cause the arms 33 to be constantlyin engagement with appropriate key bars 32, but the typewriter can bereadily disconnected from the bars 3| by merely lifting it out of itsposition. i

At the left end of the supporting base IS a bracket 4| is secured bymeans of studs 42. The bracket 4! projects upwardly and is provided witha series of holes 43 which serve as bearings for the left ends 44 of agroup of rotatable transverse members 45, referred to hereinafter ascode bars. Each of the transverse members 45 consists, except for thecylindrical bearing portions at its ends, of a flat bar which normallylies with its surface in an upwardly sloping plane as shown in Figs. 1and 12.

There are six code bars 45, and they are positioned directly below thelevers 3| so that when any lever 3| is depressed, by operation of atypewriter key bar 32 as previously described, the members 45 will becaused to rotate clockwise, as shown in Fig. 12, unless the bar 3| isnotched above a code bar 45. The various levers 3| are notched atvarious points opposite certain of the code bars 45 so that these leversmay be depressed without operating those particular code bars. Where thelevers 3| are not notched, their downward movement, incidental to theoperation ofa typewriter key, causes code bars 45 opposite unnotchedportions of the levers to be rotated. Various combinations of notchedand unnotched portions of the levers 3| make it possible to rotatevarious combinations of code bars 45. The code bars 45 each control apunching element in a manner to be described hereinbelow. Therefore theoperation of any key on the typewriter. l0 causes the operation of aparticular combination of code bars peculiar to that key and results inpunching a group of perforations also peculiar to the key operated, inthe control strip. or tape which is being fed through the punchingmechanism, as will also be described below.

Referring now to Figs. '7, 8, l2 and 13, the code bars 45 are providedat thei right ends with tongues 5| which fit snugly in notches 52 formedin aligned shafts or bars 53 which form, in effect, continuations of thecode bars 45. The tongue and groove connection just described permitseasy disconnection of the punching unit as will appear more clearly asthis description proceeds, and the shafts 53 are constrained to rotatewith the code bars 45.

A pair of upstanding brackets 5d and 55, Figs. 3 and 5, are secured tothe base ill by suitable means such as studs 56 and 57. These bracketsare provided with suitable openings to provide bearings 58 and 59 forthe shafts 53, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 13. Appropriate journalportions 59 are provided on right ends of the shafts 53, and the bars 45have their right end portions bearing tongues 5| mounted for rotatien inthe bearing openings 58 of the bracket 54, the left ends of shafts 53also being mounted. therein as shown in Fig. 13.

Each of the shafts 54 carries a radially pro jecting pin 5! which isadapted to engage a pin 6-2 projecting to the right of a slidable bar53, one bar 63 thus being adapted to be moved rearwardly of the machine,or to the left as shown in Fig. 12 when the shaft 53 associatedtherewith is rotated clockwise.

The sliding bars 63 are mounted for sliding movement in two slottedbrackets 54 and which are secured to the base It by suitable fasteningmeans such as the screws 66 and 6?. A stop plate 68 is secured to thebase l9 by securing means such as screws 69 in position to limitmovement of the sliding bars 63 forwardl or to the right as seen inFigs. 12 and 13. An upstanding arm or ear H is provided on a three armedlever ll! pivoted to the ear end of each of the sliding bars 63 and aspring 12 has one end connected to the ear 1! and the other end to afixed bracket 13. Bracket 73 is secured to bracket 55 and the springcontinually urges each of the three armed levers clockwise and thesliding bars forwardly or to the right, Fig. 12, against the stop plate68. Hence depression of a typewriter key and consequent rotation of ashaft 53 in a clockwise direction moves the sliding bar 63 associatedwith such shaft rearwardly or the left against the tension of the spring72. On release of the key, the spring quickly restores the sliding bar63 to its forward position with its forward end in. abutment with thestop plate 58. The three armed lever has other functions which will bedescribed below.

Before proceeding with a description of the punching mechanism per se itshould be pointed out that in addition to the key bars of the typewriterwhich correspond to character keys, there are several other controlswhich must be coded into the perforated strip to obtain proper operationof the plate embossing machine under the control of the strip. These arethe shift key mechanism, whereby a shift from lower case to upper casein the typewriter is to be duplicated on the embossed plate, the wordspacing bar, the carriage return, and the line spacing mechanismassociated with the typewriter carriage. In addition, two operationspeculiar to plate embossing machines should be indicated on the controltape, if fully automatic plate embossing is to be achieved, althoughsuch operations are not employed in ordinary typewriter operation. Theseare a plate feeding operation or pickup, and a plate ejecting and platerolling operation.

Means for-setting such operations into. the code bars 25 and theirextensions, shafts 53, will next be described.

For the six operations named, six levers 8!, 82, 83, 84, and 8B areprovided between the typewriter and the punching mechanism, as bestshown in Fig. 2. These levers are pivoted at intermediate points on ashaft 81 mounted in upstanding brackets 88 secured to the base 1 9 bystuds 89. Screws 9! hold the shaft 81 firmly seated in notches in thetops of brackets 88' in a manner similar to the mounting of shaft 28described above.

Rearwardly of the pivot point a tension spring 92 secured between eachof the levers ill to 86, inclusive, urges each lever to acounterclockwise position limited by contact of the extreme rear end ofeach lever with a bracket 94 as shown in full lines in Fig. 12.

Four of the six levers mentioned, namely levers til, 83, M and 35, Fig.9, are operated by Bowden cables which are connected to the rear ends ofsaid levers and operated from mechanisms in or associated with thetypewriter. The'other two levers, 82 and t6 are provided with operatingkeys. Thus lever 8i associated with the carriage return is operated by aBowden cable lfll which leads to a block Hi2, Fig. 2, and carries abutton Hi3 which is pushed inwardly when the carriage is returned toposition for beginning a newline. Lever 83 is operated by a Bowden cableH34, the other end of which is connected to the line spacing mechanismE85 of the typewriter. As shown in Figs. 2 and 11, the line space levercarries a downwardly projecting pin Hi6 which acts on the end of ahorizontal sliding pin llll mounted in a block H78 in contact with theend of Bowden cable let. The sheath of Bowden cable N14 is anchored tothe typewriter carriage and carried by the carriage in such a manner asto be operable at any carriage position. The lever 84 is operated by aBowden cable W9 having its other end connected to the shift mechanismIII of the typewriter by which the type basket, or the carriage,depending upon the typewriter used, is shifted to type upper case ratherthan lower case characters. The lever 85 is operated by Bowden cable H2which has its other end connected to the space bar N3 of the typewriter.

It will be understood of course that the ends of the sheaths of all theBowden cables just described are suitably anchored to fixed members orat least to members which are fixed with respect to the control elementconnected to the cable. As shown in Fig. 9 the lever end of each of thecables llll, HM, I09 and H2 is engaged to a slidable pin' insertedthrough an appropriate bore in the block or bracket H5. The cablesheaths are anchored to the block H5 which is' rigidly secured to thebase It by fastening means such as the studs I it. The block I i5 isprovided with vertical bores H1, H8, H9 and HI. The Bowden cableconnections are guided for vertical movement, the pins being indicatedat I22, I23, I24 and I25. Movement of the typewriter carriage to theright, in position for starting a new line causes Bowden cable llll topush pin I22 upwardly in the bore ll'l rocking lever 8| clockwise to aposition similar to the position of lever 82 as shown in dotted lines,Fig. 12. The levers 83, 84 and 65 are operated in a similar manner.

The front ends of the levers 8| to 86 are guided for vertical movementby a, comb member I26 secured to the base 19 by appropriate means suchas screws I21. A vertica1 slot is provided for each of the levers.

The lever 82 is arranged to rotate certain of the code bars 45 tocausethe punching mechanism to punch a group of perforations in thecontrol strip or tape, according to the predetermined code. The purposeof. this operation is to form control perforations in the control stripwhich will set in operation mechanism in a plate embossing machine topick up a plate to be embossed and feed it to punching position. Theparticular means by which a plate is thus picked up and carried to theembossing dies forms no part of the present invention. It is sufficientto point out that whenever operations on one plate have been completedit is necessary to feed in a new plate and manual depression of thelever 82 will cause the punching mechanism to form control indicia inthe tape which will initiate such action when the embossing machine isoperating under control of the tape. All the levers including lever 82,have notches as I29 cut into their lower edges opposite .all code bars45 which are not to be rotated by that particular lever.

In a similar fashion, thelever 86 operates certain code bars to causecontrol indicia to be perforated into the tape which will setinmovertical frame members I3I and I32 form the side frames of thepunching mechanism. Theleftframe member I3I is provided with ahorizontal flange at its base which rests on the base I9, being securedthereto by means'such as studs I 33. The right framemembe'r I32 has'asimilar base flange I 35 which is secured'to the base I9 by means suchas studs I36. The upper portions of the frame members are held rigidlyin properly spaced relationship by a tie bar I31 having reduced endportions I38 and through openings in the frame members. The reduced endportions of the shaft I31 are threaded to receive nuts I40 which holdthe frame members rigidly in position against the-shoulders where thereduced end portions join the bar I31 proper.

A supply reel I M for the strip or tape to be perforated is mounted on ashaft I42 carried by the frame members I 3I and I32. A spring I43,

having one end fixed in a collar I44 securedto shaft I42, pressesagainst one sideof the supply reel I4I to prevent undesirableunreeling.- The strip to be perforated is led from the supply reel I4Iover a stationaryguide member I45, Figs. 7-

and 8, and under a guideroller I46 through punching dies to be describedin detail below.

From the punching dies the strip is led to a pair I52 by means of atapered pin I53. As best shownin Figs. 14 and 15, .the feed roller I41consists of a cylindrical body portion. I54 having lightly knurledcircumferential bands LI55 and I56 near eachend to obtain, incooperation with the resilient covering on roll I48, a positive griponthe strip S of paper or the-like. End flanges con sisting of discs. I51and. I58 of diameter somewhat I39 which pass larger than that of thecylindrical body I54 are secured to the ends of body I54 by means suchas screws I59. The shaft I 52 is mounted in bearings provided in theframe members I3I and I32 and on its outer right end it carries aknurled hand wheel I60 and a notched disc I6I rigidly secured theretoasby means of a set screw I62. A detent lever I83, pivotally mounted on astud I64 secured to the frame member I32, is normally urged by a springI65 to a position where a detent nose I66 on said lever fits neatly intoa notch on thedisc I6I. This detent tends to insure that the roller I41will be turned in equal increments to provide uniform spacing betweensuccessive perforations or groups of perforations in the strip S.

By means of the knurled hand wheel I60 the roller I41 may be turnedmanually to advance the strip or tape S. This is particularl useful whena new strip is being fed into the machine.

Cooperating with the feed roller I41 is the pressure roller I48 which ismounted in two arms I61 of a yoke I68. The yoke I68 is pivotallymountedon a tie bar I31 previously described which in turn is fixed tothe frame members I3I and I32. A collar I69 is keyed to the tie bar andbears a depending arm I10 to which a tension spring I10A is attached.The other end of the spring I10A is attached to the underside of theyoke so as to pull the roller I48 into engagement with the feed rollerI41 thereby affording sufficient friction to feed the tape positivelyupon rotation of the fed roller I41. The roller I48 may be liftedmanually against the tension of spring I'IllA to facilitate feeding in anew strip.

At a point on shaft I52 between the feed roller I41 and the frame memberI32 a toothed ratchet Wheel I1I issecured to the shaft I52 for rotationtherewith. A tapered pin I12 as shown in Fig. 5 may be used for thispurpose. A pawl I13 pivoted on the forward and upper end of areciprocable link I14 is urged into engagement with the teethof ratchetwheel I1I by means of a spring I15, Fig. 8. Theupper end of the link I14is pivotally connected to an arm I16 which is freely mounted on the feedroller shaft I52. The lower end of the link I14 is enlarged to form acircular band as shown at I11. The interior of the band I11 receives andclosely fits an eccentric I18 carried by and secured to a main operatingshaft I19. The shaft I19 is operated cyclically in a manner 'to bedescribed below and is mountedin suitable bearings I and I80 secured bystuds I88A to the frame members I3I and I32. The outer periphery of theeccentric I18 is provided with a circumferential groove I8I about midwaybetween its side faces. The reduced tip portion I82; of a set screw I83carried by the band I11 previously referred'to fits freely into, thegroove. This construction permits rotation of the eccentric I18 insidethe band and consequently effects reciprocation of the link I14 but atthe same time prevents axial displacement of the band. Hence with eachcycle of operation of the shaft I19 the link I14 is reciprocated and thepawl I13 carried thereby engages a new tooth on the ratchet wheel' llland advances the feed roller shaft I 52 through an are determined by thespacing between successive teeth on the ratchet. This are of course isalso represented by the spacing between teethon the detent wheel IBI,Fig. 6, previously referred to, The rocking arm I16 swings about shaftI52 as the link I14 is reciprocated, keepin the pawl I13 in properposition with respect to the ratchet wheel I1 I.

The shaft 152 of the feed roller also carries a pulley 184 securedagainst relative rotation by means of a key 485. A belt I86 passes aboutpulley I84 and another pulley I81 on the spindle or shaft I54 of therewind reel I49. A spring I88 has an end I89 bent at right angles andsecured in an opening in the pulley I81 to constrain the spring torotate with the pulley. The sprin is under compression when a reel I49is in place, the reel being held in place by a suitable detent IS! onthe outer end of the spindle. Friction between the spring and theadjoining face of the reel causes the reel to rotate with the spring totake up slack in the strip S and keep it taut. A handle I92, Fig. 2, isprovided on the rewind reel for manual rotation; as may be conven-ientin starting a new strip through the machine.

The shaft l'l9, which operates the eccentric is designed for cyclicoperation and at its right end a friction brake I93 is secured toprevent overthrow. This brake consists ,of a split ring Hi4 adapted tobe tightened about shaft i it by means of a belt or screw 95. A springi955 surrounding the bolt holds it by friction in any adjusted position.

The shaft I19 which operates the strip feed mechanism described abovealso operates the punching -or perforating elements to be described indetail hereinbelow. The shaft 119 is driven through a one revolutionclutch 2Ell which includes a pulley element 202, by means of a belt 233passing about the pulley element 202 and a pulley 294 on the shaft of asuitable motor M, mounted on the base it as shown in Fig.

The one revolution clutch is preferably a roller clutch of a type-wellknown in theart. As shown, Figs. 2, .5 and '7, it includes a hollowcylindrical housing or drum 28 which is grooved to form the pulleyelement 2.32., and which is freely rotatable on the shaft I19. Aneccentric sleeve 266 is rig-idly secured to shaft 119 as by :a key 281.Ari-arm or shoe .298 is adapted to engage theinner surface of the hollowdrum 285 and comprises radial portion 289 which .issecured to the shaft.A torsion spring 2H), Rig. .2, tends to urge the arm member to clutchengaging position.

The clutch may also comprise a cam disc 21-! mounted on .an extension212 of the eccentric sleeve 2B8, which has a pin 243 near its outerperiphery .and projecting to the right, Fig. 5. A tension spring 214 isconnected to this pin; the other end thereof being connected to asimilar pin 2| 5 projecting from the radial portion of arm 289. The camdisc 2| l hasa shoulder 2L6 adapted to be engaged by .a locking pawl28-! fixed on a'rotatable-shaft 218.

When the pawl 2|! is rocked counterclockwise, Fig. '7, by meansdescribed below, the disc 2H is released and tension on the springcauses rel-ative rotation between the cam and the arm 268. As a result,the driven member of the clutch is connected in driving engagement withthe drum 285 which is constantly rotating. After initial release, thenose of pawl 2! I rides on the .periphery of "cam 2| I. As the cam plate21! nears the end of a revolution, a declining surface 2L3 thereonpermits the pawl to move clockwise so as to catch on the shoulder 245.and stop further rotation of the cam. This action tensions spring 224and releases the driven clutch member from frictional driving engagementwith the rotating drum 285. This operation is repeated for each cycle.

It will be recalled that a group of six sliding bars '88 are provided,each cont-rolled by an arm 64 projecting radial'lyfrom a code barextension 53, mounted in the brackets 54 and 55. These sliding bars aremounted for horizontal movement and are held properly spaced-by theslotted brackets 84 and previously described. As shown in Fig. 8 thethree armed lever previously mentioned, carried .by each of the slidingbars, comprises a pawl or nose portion 220 adapted to con-tact dependingarm 22! of a rocker 222 vpivotally mounted on a shaft 223. Shaft 223 is.secured as by screws or studs 224 to a bar 225 which may be fastened tolugs 228 on the frame members I31 and E32 by studs as 227. The bar 225is provided with a pair of upwardly extending studs 228 and 229 whichcarry a short bar 23!. A bracket 232 is secured to the bar 23! bysuitable means such as fastening screws 233. Tension springs 234 aresecured at one endto :the bracket 232 and at their other ends to therockers 222, one spring being secured to each rocker and tending torotate said rocker counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 8.

Each of the rockers 222 has a latch portion 235 on its upper end,adapted to engage a similar latch portion 236 on a vertically slidablebar 231, one bar being provided for each-of the six rockers and oneadditional bar, without latching elements, being provided for a purposeto be described below, making seven bars in all. The bars 23-! areprovided with slots 238 near their lower ends and a rod 239 passesthrough said slots, permitting vertical sliding movement and limitedrocking movement of the bars. The

'. bracket 232, previously mentioned, extends upwardly and forwardlyover the bar 23l terminating in a comb member 240 which guides theslides 23.! and keeps them in properly spaced relationship. The rod 239is mounted in lugs 24] projecting from a transverse bar 1242 which inturn is attached to lugs 243 by suitablerfastening means such asstuds244.

Each-of the slides, except the seventh-on which is .located in themiddle of the group, is provided on its upper end with Jan upwardlyprojecting ear to which a tension spring 245 is connected. The other endof each spring 245 is secured to the upper arm of -a Z shaped bracket246, the lower .arm of which .is secured to .a rigid block 24'! whichforms a-guide fora-row of seven-punching pins 248. The bracleet248also'carries a :comb of leaf springs 249. The lower end of each spring249 is bifurcated to engage a groove 25! in the head 252 of each of allseven punch pins, to the pins to a definite position at the left as seeninF-igs. Wand 8.

.Movement of any one of the slides 63 to .the left, Fig. 8, rotates thelatching rocker 2-22 clockwise and releases the associated slide bar 23!for vertical movement under the influence of its spring 245.

As seen in .Figs. 7 and '8, the :shaft 218 which carries the latchingpawl 2 I I forthe clutch mechanism described above is mounted in spacedbrackets 253 secured as by studs 25!! to the bar 242 previouslydescribed. The shaft 2| 8 which carries the pawl 2H at one end, carriesan arm 255 at its opposite :end. This arm, together with a dependingextension 256 50f the pawl 2 f8, carries a bail member 251 which extendsacross all seven of the slide bars 231.

Each :of the slide bars 23 is provided with a notch 258 which engagesthe bail member 251. These notches are of :such width vertically thatupward movement of (one ior 'more slide bars 23-! 13 may lift the bail251 sufficiently to release the latch 2I1, without disturbing the otherbars.

Hence upon movement of a slide bar 63 to the left,

the eccentric sleeve 206 keyed to shaft I19, and

the punch pins 248. As previously noted bars 231 are capable of limitedpivotal movement about shaft 239. In their lowered or latched position,the six bars associated with the six slides 63 are ineffective to serveas interposers. When unlatched or raised, on the other hand, the barsare interposed between the eccentric member 206 and the associated punchpin and a rotation of the eccentric operates the punch to perforate thestrip S.

Hence the release of any slide 231 trips the clutch for one revolutionof the shaft I19 and the same release interposes the slide before itsassociated punch pin. Selective rotation of the code bars 45 and theirextensions 53 therefore results in operation of corresponding punchelements.

As best shown in Fig. 8, a female die member 26I is provided forcooperation with the punch pins 248. The die 26 I is so mounted withrespect to the block 241 which carries the punch pins that the tape orstrip S may be fed between the female die and the punch pins when thepunches are withdrawn. A rigid bar 262 is secured to lugs 265 and 266 onthe frame members I3I and I32 by means such as studs 261. This bar whichis sufficiently heavy and rugged to support the punching dies foroperation by the eccentric on shaft I19 carries the entire die assembly.The paper guide I45 previously described and the Z-shaped bracket 246 towhich springs 245 and 249 are attached are also carried by this assembly, being secured by appropriate fastening means to the block whichcarries and guides the perfo rating pins or punches 248.

The middle bar 231, as previously noted, is not latched down by a latch235 nor is it urged upwardly by a spring such as 245. Therefore this baris ineffective to trip the clutch and operate the punching mechanism,although it is always in interposition between the eccentric 206 and itspunch pin 248. Hence the middle one of the seven punch pins is alwaysoperated when the clutch is tripped, so that a perforation is made atevery feeding stop of the strip S. The purpose of this is to provide afeed control perforation at every stop, to govern the operation ofmachinery which will later be controlled by said strip.

Obviously it may be desirable to operate the middle punch pin at timeswithout operating any of the other punch pins but no automatic operatingmeans are provided for such a case. However, manual means comprising apivoted lever' 21I fixed to a rotatable shaft 212 mounted in the framemember I3I are provided for releasing the clutch and operating themiddle or feed punch. A finger key 213 is provided on lever 21I and theopposite end of said lever bears a pin 214 to which is attached atension spring 215. The lower end ofspring 215 is secured to a pin 216secured to frame member I3I and urges the lever counter-- clockwise,Fig. '1.

The shaft 212 which carries the lever 21I also their latched positions.

carries anzarm 211 fixed to said shaft, and normally resting. on the top(of bar, 242, thus limiting counterclockwise movement of shaft 212. Uponmanual depression of the key 213, the arm 211 is raised to lift the bail251, release the pawl 2I'I and initiate one revolution of the shaftI19.-. This operation punches at central perforation in strip S andadvances the strip one step in the manner previously described. Thepunching operation takes place early in the cycle, with the stripadvancing movement occurring during the last half of the cycle.

After a punching operation involving the release of any of the-latches235 has been performed, it isnecessary to reset the various parts for. anew cycle of operation. The springs 12 draw. the horizontal slides 63forwardly or to the right, Fig. 5 as previously described, cooperatingsloping surfaces 28I, 282 on the rocker 222 and the pawl 220 permittingthe pawl to yield counterclockwise and bypass the arm 22I. A plate 283is secured to the base I9 by screws 284 and a depending arm 285 of eachthree armed lever previously mentioned contacts the right edge thereofunder influence of the spring 12. Withthis arrangement the spring 12 maybe very lightand still be sumciently quick and positive in action topermit rapid operation.

The slides 63 are of course restored immediately after release of atypewriter key (or one of the levers 82 or 86). The vertical slides, orselectors, 231 are restored to their lower latched positions against thetension of springs 245 by a restoring bail 29d carried by the horizontalarm of a bell crank 292 pivoted to the guide block 241 of the The otherarm punching mechanism at 293; 294 of the bell crank 292 extendsvertically and a spring 295 is attached thereto, the other end of thespring being anchored to a pin 296 mounted in the guide block 241. Thisspring tends to rotate the bell crank clockwise and to hold the bail 29Iin its upper positionout of contact with horizontal shoulders 299 on theslides 231.

A pin 298 carried in the right end of the eccentric sleeve 206 whichoperates the punching dies, is adapted during the latter part of anoperating cycle, and after punching has been accomplished, to strike ahorizontal shoulder 299 at the rear end of the bell crank lever arm 292,see Fig. 8. As the shaft I19 continues to rotate, the arm 292 is forceddownwardly and the bail 29! restores all the vertical slides 231 toShortly thereafter, the cycle is completed and shaft I19 comes to rest,until it is tripped for another operation by actuation of a typewriterkey or one of the other control keys described above.

It will be noted that although all the apparatus described above iscontrolled directly by the operation of the keys and other manualcontrols of a standard typewriter that the typewriter may be used in thenormal manner even while connected to the operating mechanisms of thepunching or perforating mechanism. Hence if it is desired to type thesame matter on sheets of paper as is to be represented in code on thecontrol strip or tape S for subsequent control of a plate embossingmachine, both operations may be accomplished simultaneously. In otherwords, the typewriter may be used for ordinary typing and all theoperations involved in such typing be transmitted simultaneously in codeto the control strip or tape for subsequent use.

In view of the above it is apparent that mailing lists maybe typed asrapidly as may be desired or as rapidly as the operator of thetypewriter is-able to function. The coding operations impose very littleope-rating tension or resistance on the various keys and controls of thetypewriter above that normally imposed in .standard typewriters. Henceit is possible for the typist to proceed as in normal typing at speedswhich may approach the order of 100 words per minute. Hence this is muchfaster than the plate embossing machine can be operated manually orautomatically and results in the rapid perforation of control tape. Thetape will be fed at a slower rate of speed when subsequently employed inautomatic control of the plate embossing machine due to operatinglimitations. Such use, as previously indicated, forms no part of thepresent invention but it is emphasized that the relatively slowperformance of the embossing machine may be compensated for, largely byproviding for its continuous operation and it offers no impediment tothe rapid'preparation of the type by use of the present invention.

In order to permit rapid operation of the typewriter and consequently ofthe strip perforating mechanism described above, the motor M and theparts driven thereby should be so proportioned that the shaft I19 may beoperated at a fairly rapid speed. For example, if the shaft MiG-isadapted to be driven cyclically at speeds of the order of 600revolutions per minute, typing may proceed at a rate of approximately100 words per minute which is usually as fast as the most capable typistcan operate .a typewriter. In any event the speed of the shaft 119should be vsufficient that operation of the typewriter at :1

maximum speed will not exceed the rate at which the perforating orpunching operations may be taken care of.

In view of the foregoing it is evident that my invention makes possiblethe employment of standard typewriters, available in all businessoffices, to control subsequently and automatically the operations ofother keyboard machines which are heavier and more ponderous incharacter and which if not automatically controlled would -consume agreat deal of time and labor and constitute serious bottlenecks in theoperation of efficient business systems.

Although I have described my invention specifically as being designedand intended to be used in preparing a perforated strip or tape S whichwill subsequently be used for controlling a plate embossing machine, itwill be obvious that the use of such tape or strip is not limited to thecontrol of a specific apparatus. A tape or strip perforated by the meansand in the manner described hereinabove may obviously be used inconnection with other machines and operations. Communications equipmenttransmitting data, typewritten material for example, by wire or radiomay be controlled by the perforated strips. It is contemplated thattypewriters and other species of recording equipment may be similarlycontrolled. The use made of the strip or tape .8 is not to be limited toplate embossing equipment although I have specifically mentioned suchuse because the apparatus which comprises the present invention isadmirably adapted thereto. The embossing of plates, as indicated above,is a costly and time consuming operation which my apparatus greatlysimplifies, but my apparatus may be used for many other purposes,wherever initial forming of a tape under typewriter :con trol ispracticable and desirable.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described 16 the preferred embodimentof my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable ofvariation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited tothe precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changesand alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a machine for forming perforations in a strip according to apredetermined code, the combination which comprises manual controlelements, a series of code control means selectively operable by saidmanual elements in accordance with said predetermined code, a series oflatches each adapted to be released by one of said code control means,an interposer associated with each of said latches adapted to be heldnormally by said latch in an inoperative position, a punch associatedwith each of said interposers, punch operating means spaced from saidpunches, said interposers being adapted to be moved into operativeposition between said punch operating means and said punches uponrelease of said latches.

.2. In a machine for forming perforations in .a strip according to apredetermined code and under the .control of the keyboard of a standardtypewriter, the combination which comprises a group of levers eachoperable by depression of a typewriter key, .a series .of code barsselectively operable by said levers according to said predeter minedcode, a latch operated by each of said code bars, an interposer normallylatched in an inoperative position by each of said latches and urged toan operative position when unlatched, a punch associated with each ofsaid interposers, punch operating means effective through saidinterposers to operate said punches when said interposers .areinoperative positions and otherwise ineffective, and means for feeding,a strip into position to be perforated by said punches.

3. In a machine for forming perforations in a strip according to apredetermined code and under the control of the keyboard of a standardtypewriter, the combination which comprises a group of levers eachoperable :by depression ofa typewriter lacy, a series of code barsselectively operable by said levers according :to said predeterminedcode, a latch operated by :each of'said code :bars, an int'erposernormally Hatched in an inoperative position by each of said latches andand punch operating means effective through said interposers to operatesaid punches when said interposers are in operative positions and.

otherwise ineffective.

4. The combination claimed in claim :3 wherein said pun-ch operatingmeans comprises an .ec-

centric.

5.. The combination claimed in claim 3 wherein .said punch operatingmeans comprises an leccentric and a single revolution clutch foroperatingsaid eccentric in cycles.

6. The combination claimed in claim 3 wherein said punch operating:means comprises .an cecentric, a single revolution clutch for operatingsaid eccentric in cycles, and .-a clutch release roperzab'le by movementof :an interposer to operatiue position.

'7. In a machine for recording the operations of a typewriter or thelike, the combination which comprises a group of perforating means, a.corresponding group of control elements, one element being associatedwith each perforating means, means efiective upon the actuation of anytypewriter key or other manual control device to operate selected ofsaid control elements, means effective upon such operation to initiate apower cycle and operate selected perforating means corresponding to saidselected cont-r0] elements, and additional control means to recordoperations in addition to those of a standard typewriter.

8. In a machine for recording the operations of a typewriter or the likeby code perforations on a strip of paper or the like, the combination ofa pivoted bar adapted to be moved by actuation of a manual element onsaid typewriter or the like, a group of code control elements adapted tobe selectively moved by said bar, said bar being formed to move onlythose code control elements corresponding to code-representingperforations corresponding to said manual element, a group of punchescorresponding to said group of code control elements, operating meansnormally inefiective upon said punches, and means rendered effective byeach of said selected code control elements to operatively connectcorresponding punches to said operating means.

9. In an apparatus for recording the operations of a typewriter or thelike by code perforations in a strip, the combination of a series ofpivoted bars operatively connected to the manual controls of saidtypewriter or the like, a group of code bars selectively operable bysaid pivoted bars, a slide member operable by each code bar, a latchadapted to be released :by each slide, and interposer normally latchedin inoperative position by each latch and adapted upon release to moveto an operative position, a punch associated with each interposer, andoperating means efiective through any int'erposer in operating positionto cause the punch associated with such interposer to form a perforationin said strip.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said operating means iscyclic.

11. The combination recited in claim 9 wherein said operating means iscyclic and wherein means for releasing said operating means for a cycleof operation are operated by movement of an interposer to operativeposition.

CLIFTON CHISHOLM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the his ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,777,055 Thompson Sept. 30, 19302,059,253 Lasker Nov. 3, 1930 2,161,564 Fit-ch June 6, 1939 2,165,237Doty July 11, 1939 2,172,754 Lasker Sept. 12, 1939 2,183,820 Nelson Dec.19, 1939 2,252,852 Hoover Aug. 19, 1941 2,275,615 Doty Mar. 10, 19422,346,267 Mills Apr. 11, 1944 2,355,297 Holt Aug. 8, 1944 2,392,275Throlstrup Jan. 1, 1946

